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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Can I please make stamping my full time job? I've got to make it happen. I just love that feeling of "this is my favorite thing I've ever made!" I've seen lots of these adorable shadowboxes on the many, many blogs I follow and thought it was time to give it a try. Well, let me tell you what my holiday gifts are going to be this year! (Don't tell my sister, mom or mother-in-law ;-) This shadow box uses mainly current Stampin' Up! "stuff"...Just Add Cake DSP, Sunny Fun stamp set from the Summer Mini and lots of accessories. There are a couple of pieces of chip board and a brad or two that were found in the stamp room stash, please forgive me. The best part of this little creation is that it can continue to grow. What will the fall insert look like, and winter! I'm having a vision...snowmen and glitter!

Today was such a productive day! That really excites me. I got so much done at work (a really fantastic yoga studio for kids...childlightyoga.com) and hung out with my amazing kids and got to stamp! What could be better than that?

My Christmas Card Club is starting in August...let the holiday preparations begin! For more information and to join the CCC, click here. Ooh...maybe a shadowbox class coming soon...

Only 2 more days until the Stampin' Up! Catalog release...you will be so thrilled with the selection, the new art styles, the new In Colors and just the overall presentation of the catalog. Contact me today to get your copy...amywest.stampinup.net

Sunday, June 26, 2011

So the last couple of days I've gone with some bold colors, shimmer and sparkles. Today it was time to change it up for a bit softer style. Here's one of the new In Colors...Wisteria Wonder paired with a little Chocolate Chip and Cherry Cobbler. I love stamp sets that I can color with my watercolor pencils then wash out with the Blender Pens. It makes me feel like I can paint like a professional! This adorable little set: Cherish Friendship includes the cutest duck that I can't wait to use. All I could think of when I saw this set for the first time was the ceramic duck that used to sit on the fireplace hearth at my parent's house. One night my mom cried out for help and I thought she was crying over a broken duck. When really she had sprained her ankle pretty seriously and just bumped the duck on the way down! Oops :-)

If you've seen the Summer Mini Catalog, you will have seen the Pretty Postage stamp set and punch. Guess what! This is being carried into the new catalog! Once I found that out, I ordered it right away!
Using this crazy combination of supplies left me with a card I'm happy with. What will tomorrow bring?

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Boy was this ever a roller coaster of a ride getting this card finished. I stopped by the Create with Connie and Mary blog this morning, saw the color challenge: Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive. Excellent, I thought...a fun summer card. Well...somehow I ended up with a Hello Baby card. I have no idea how. I've seen these adorable little pinwheels all over the web, and there is a fantastic new stamp set and coordinating paper in the Stampin' Up! catalog. Thought I'd give them a try. Certainly these are going to become a favorite! Do you ever look around at your crafting supplies, slightly embarrassed by all that you have but secretly wish that the SU fairy godmother would just bring a few more things? That was me today. I kept thinking"" if only I had this die cut" or "that paper would be just perfect" or maybe "that new ribbon would be the best!". I could stamp for a year on just what is in my stash but seeing the new things makes me crazy for more!

Sorry for my rambling today...I just had too much fun in my stamping space today! Who knows what tomorrow will bring!

With the craziness of my life right now, it was truly a splurge to take the morning for myself and get inky! I really love the new Just Add Cake DSP and thought it would make a great Birthday card for the Inkspiration Challenge. Of course I had to add a bit of Dazzling Diamonds and spray on a touch of Shimmer paint...This is one of my favorite cards I've created in a while. I think those crafty juices are finally flowing again.
Wish Big is a pretty universal card...good for any age. Today's challenge was a sketch challenge from Inkspirations. Pop on over and see some other creations!

I just came back from a visit at the Relay for Life that's taking place in Rochester, NH. It's really fantastic and touching to see so many survivors and supporters in one place! Remember, you can support Breast Cancer Research through Stampin' Up! by purchasing the Strength & Hope Stamp Set. SU donates $2 for every set purchased. I'm headed back this evening when the candle lighting takes place. A walk to remember, a walk for hope and a walk for a cure...

This beautiful new Designer Series Paper is soon to be released from Stampin' Up! Just Add Cake goes with so many of the new stamp sets including Pennant Parade. SU also designed a coordinating pennant punch. How lucky are we? And of course, a little shimmer paint is always fun to add...a bit of sparkle for the party!

There is a little "hello" stamped on the top of the U but with the light reflecting on the shimmer paint, it doesn't show up in the picture. The Just Add Cake DSP highlights some of the In Colors in the 2010-2012 Collection...Poppy Parade, Wild Wasabi, Blushing Bride...

Another little treat about the Pennant Parade Stamp Set is that it can be turned upside down to double as a Christmas tree...how fun is that?

I'm so very excited to continue sharing the latest releases from Stampin' Up! with you! I think this is the best catalog ever and I've been doing this for almost 10 years! Thanks for being patient during my crazy spring. I'm glad to be back creating and posting!

Friday, June 24, 2011

The school year has come to an end...summer has begun! Before those adorable kids were released to the fun of swimming, playing and just hanging out, I gave them a cute little reminder to do a bit of reading over their vacation. Using the Tart & Tangy stamp set that is retiring and some other retired card stock, these bookmarks cost just pennies to make.

Summer vacation has started a bit soggy. It hasn't stopped raining in 3 days. My vegetable plants are begging for some sunshine and so are my kids! Everyone is ready for some pool time and friends. The rain has given me a bit of time for stamping though. In the next couple of days you'll see a sneak peek or two from the new catalog!
Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Very early this morning I jumped on my laptop to check my email and do a bit of work. What a treat! I found my new blog header design from laycockdesigns.com! What do you think? I'm really excited to get those creative juices flowing again (they've been a bit frozen lately)! There are new products coming in the new catalog, new In Colors that are just beautiful and new dies for the BigShot. I'm ready to show it all off.

One of my favorite stamp sets, Peace Within makes an appearance in the new catalog. This is such a great set to use colored pencils, pastels or watercolors on. It's really versatile too...great for a Thinking of You, Note Card, Mother's Day...Today's card is a birthday card in a square format. I'm starting to use this shape for my cards more often. The DSP is an old retired set from Stampin' Up! I'm sad that it is just about gone. Most of my house is done in these colors. Can you tell that Fall is my favorite time of year?

Stay tunes...some end of the year teacher gifts are coming as well as some super cute bookmarks to remind the kids to read this summer! School is almost out...more time to stamp! Hooray!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

I stayed up way too late waiting for the Last Chance list to post, dreamed about the new Sneak Peak treasures on their way all night and woke up way too early but...it was so worth it! Just wait until you see the new goodies on their way...new punches, beautiful paper and fabric, great stamp sets! I could go on and on and that doesn't even cover the 5 new In Colors! Close your eyes and image Calypso Coral, Pool Party or Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo and Wisteria Wonder. I can only imagine the Stampin' Up! Design Team must have been sitting on a tropical island when this year's In Colors were created!

But to get back to business: It's time to say Good Bye to many of our favorite things. If you still have them on your wish list, this will be your last chance! There are many great discounts (up to 40%) on Accessories and Decor Elements. Those will only be available while supplies last, remember! And the stamp sets going away are many. That means that there will be lots of room in the new Idea Book & Catalog for new, new, new!

My Story

Hello from my crazy, busy life! I'm a wife and mom to a couple of great kids (Kylee, the volleyball player and Dakota the joker) and an amazing husband. Kylee is the + in A+! She's loves to create as much as I do and Dakota always puts his two cents in. If I'm not at one sporting event or another you can find me making a mess in my stamping space!
As a Stampin’ Up! Independent Demonstrator, I am one of those rare people who love what they do and get to share what they love. And I love stamping!
Thanks for stopping by!